Dripping water under GE Refrigerator

[pkmicro]

Hi,

I have an old GE 24 Cu. ft. Side-by-side Refrigerator. Lately it has been dripping water under the front freezer door and the Front water dispenser is not working (no water coming out). But the Ice maker is still working. I could see a thick layer of ice build up on the bottom of the freezer under the meat tray. Can anyone here tell me if I can fix this? I have read the manual and it says that the water supply line might be clogged with sediments. But it did not show me how to remove and replace the plastic tube. Can this be done by my self or should I call the repair technician. Does it worth fixing or it's time to buy a new one. It's 20 years old. Thanks in advance.

[Joseph Meehan]

At 20 years old I would not put a lot of money into repairs. However I can think of two I would try.

Replacing or cleaning that filter should be an easy job. I don't know your frig so I can't give you any detailed instructions. Maybe someone will or you can try a appliance parts supply and see if they have a filter available for that model. It may well come with the instructions.

I would also suggest, after the above, that you unplug it for at lest 24 hours. That means finding neighbors to store some of your food and eating the rest. It will allow the frost that is there to melt off. That in itself maybe causing some problems. I suggest 24 hours as many times some of that ice is built up inside where you can't see it and it takes a long time to melt. Leave the doors blocked open.

[Appliance Repair Aid]

Hi,

A plugged/restricted defrost drain is common for doing that...something that may help...

Probably an ( another ) seperate problem.

That is posssibly from the ice inside the bottom of the freezer and related to the defrost drain issue.

Rare! Then the icemaker would likely not work as well.

If the unit is still cooling and freezing properly, why not as it would be much cheaper than replacing it.

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

[Joseph Meehan]

I think you may be right about the drain issue after re-reading the original message. I was personally skeptical about the filter, but it is something a user should be able to replace themselves at little cost.

The only think I might disagree with you about is the economics of replacing vs repairing a 20 year old machine. It has been my experience (likely more limited that yours which is why I am asking) that machines of that age are more likely to start having problems. So one expensive repair may be followed by others.

In addition it seems to me that efficiency has improved over the last 20 years so that must also be factored in. the cost of operation of a frig is often greatly underestimated and the savings of an increase in efficiency can be a lot. For that matter the choice of a more efficient style machine (like top freezer vs side by side) can make a very large difference in life time cost.

I am sure I will find your comments interesting and informative.

[Appliance Repair Aid]

experience

machines of

efficiency

Hi,

experience

machines of

When we get into refrigerant leakers, compressor problems, cooling issues I tend to agree...but so far a leak from what sounds like a defrost drain issue and no chilled water is not major enough for me to consider replacing the refrigerator.

efficiency

SxS style has always and probably always will use more hydro/energy than top freezer styles...*I* - *we* would likely never get used to using a top freezer refrigerator after owning a SxS style for 20+ years ;) The energy savings are -sometimes- over stated...most manufactures tell us we can save APPROX $40-100.00 a year by replacing our refrigerator...on a SxS with water and ice, up here they start around $1500.00, takes many moons to get our money back replacing the refrigerator get for the energy savings. Also the units built today are designed to use less hydro/energy and the way they do this is with lighter parts...that seem to break more often...-usually- costing us more in repairs than the energy savings can be....JMO!!

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

[t.p.bernhardt]

I had a similar problem last summer. It turned out the drain hose was plugged. After several tries to unplug it with a thin wire, I simply attached a turkey baster to the end of the hose and gave it a couple of good squeezes. The forced air blew out the clog and I haven't had a problem since. Good luck! Tom

[Joseph Meehan]

I agree with that.

Thanks for your comments.

[Stormin Mormon]

Some usenet posters find it useful to trim excess text.

[Stormin Mormon]

Ah, trade secret. Here's another one. USe a metal hose clamp to keep the bulb from falling off the turkey baster tube.

[Stormin Mormon]

That's the big test. If it's cooling, the compressor works, and it's got freon in it.

Frozen solid = yes cooling.